Rhode Island School of Design seeks a talented professional for a unique opportunity within the office of Institutional Engagement. The Associate Director, Donor Relations (Recognition) is responsible for developing, planning, and executing the stewardship of donor recognition societies and designated funds at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). This position adheres to industry best practices and incorporates creativity to partner with gift officers and colleagues to develop and execute ongoing donor-centric stewardship and recognition strategies for RISD's most generous donors.

Essential Functions

Executes a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program with a primary focus on donor recognition and giving programs. Works collaboratively with colleagues to gain feedback and inform program design, enhancements or modifications.

Works in close partnership with the Development Office and divisions across campus to support efforts to steward donors at all levels. Strategizes, researches, writes and produces narrative stewardship reports, and other customized pieces for all designated funds, which includes identifying and creatively explaining how funds are used. Develops and manages relationships with vendors, including but not limited to design firms, printers, and mail houses, to execute reporting projects.

Builds robust stewardship and recognition programs for annual leadership donors (1877 Society), planned giving donors (Metcalf Society) and other donor recognition societies as determined by the Executive Director and based on input from the Development Office team.

Oversees the donor acknowledgement process in collaboration with Advancement Services to ensure the delivery of timely and customized letters; identifies and recommends options to further automate and streamline custom letters; seeks feedback from gift officers to support the personalization of all acknowledgement letters signed by the President and Vice President of Institutional Engagement. Partners with Communications to routinely refresh acknowledgement templates.

Partners with the Director of Special Events to execute annual donor events, including but not limited to 1877 Society events, Metcalf Society events and other donor recognition events. Explores and evaluates additional stewardship and cultivation events for appropriateness at RISD as needed. Inventories and educates gift officers about additional engagement and stewardship opportunities.

Recommends and coordinates donor touch point activities for a broad spectrum of the College's donors and prospects to promote meaningful involvement and engagement with the institution by actively collaborating with the other Associate Director of Donor Relations and various team members.

Explores and utilizes new technology methods, such as videos or web-based platforms, to engage and inform donors. Develops ideas for customized presentations, recognition for named spaces and other key gifts, and other creative touches.

Maintains an accurate comprehensive filing and tracking system to ensure that all activity is recorded in the internal donor database (Raiser's Edge). Analyzes captured data to provide progress reports on stewardship programs.

Leads the coordination of all donor recognition listings; ensures donors are recognized accurately and appropriately.

Evaluates stewardship processes for leadership donors and develops best practices for donor stewardship and recognition.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.

5 to 7 years of related experience in fundraising, donor relations, communications, or a related field.

Preference given to candidates with experience in higher education or nonprofit stewardship activities.

Well-honed writing, editing, research and analytical skills required.

Knowledge of, and interest in staying current in, the principles and techniques relevant to donor-centric major gift fundraising.

Must possess strong interpersonal skills, high EQ, and superb first-in-class customer service and communications skills.

Proven success in the planning, organizing and executing projects with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Superlative diplomatic and communication skills, including an ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of constituents (individual donors, alumni, business leaders, public figures, college leadership, faculty and staff), within a broad range of cultural environments.

Ability to build and manage relationships with a variety of constituents across all levels of institution.

Ability to anticipate unexpected issues and needs and to react quickly, calmly and confidently so as to instill trust and confidence.

Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines.

Capability to work independently and collaboratively with moderate supervision.

Union:

No

Work Schedule:

12 months per year

Employment Status:

Full-time, Exempt

Grade:

10/AD

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume

Cover Letter

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

For internal use only - Job Family:

Development - Fundraising

Internal Number: R-00424

About Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), founded in 1877, is a fine arts and design college located in Providence, Rhode Island. Enrolling about 2000 undergraduates and 400 graduate students from across the United States and 55 other countries, RISD offers 16 undergraduate majors and 16 graduate majors, and is ranked annually by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top art and design schools in the United States. RISD’s rigorous education encourages creative experimentation and intellectual risk-taking, challenging students to question their approach to art making through critical thinking. There are over 90,000 works of art in the RISD Museum, which houses a collection of fine and decorative art objects. The first public galleries opened in 1893. The RISD Library is one of the oldest independent art college libraries in the country with more than 150,000 volumes and 380 periodical subscriptions which offer unusual depth and richness in the areas of architecture, art, design, and photography. The RISD campus is contiguous with the campus of Brown University and the two institutions share social, academic, and community resources.RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundament...al to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.